[LA Bliss]

It's now our 5th day of living in HK. Confusing but fun.

I haven't had a problem hailing a taxi until yesterday. It was about 4:30 pm in Central and I was on Des Veoux Rd. Every time I tried to hail an available taxi, the driver just either shook his head or waved his hand and drove right past me.

What did I do wrong? I'm from Los Angeles, California so hailing a taxi is something very new to me. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

[PDLM]

Either:

a) the taxi was hired (the red flag on the front is down or covered with a card), or

b) you were stood in a place where they can't stop (which, broadly, means at pedestrian crossings, on double yellow lines, and certain other no-stopping zones).

Much of des Voeux Road is double yellow, so you need to go to a rank or a side street.

[LA Bliss]

Aha! Got it... and here I thought I can get a taxi anywhere, anyhow & anytime.

Thanks for the tip, PDLM.

[KnowItAll]

You can stop cabs in front of the H&M .. small section where cabs stop.

Also, many of the cabs will have a "Not for Hire" sign which means that they're either going on a shift change or they're looking for cross harbour fares. If they're parked and have a no hire sign - they're cross harbour Kowloon side taxis.

If you want to go cross harbour (through a tunnel) make a "walk like an Egyptian" type gesture to indicate that you want to go through the cross harbour tunnel.

Now .. practice the gestures and post them up on YouTube so that we can all have a good laugh.

[carang]

it might also have been shift change... usually they put a cardboard sign in front of the light on the dash.

[carang]

oosp sorry KIA.... didn't read your response thoroughly!

[discobay]

Yes, I think the shift changes are between 3 and 5 am/pm.

[larac]

The shift change thing is so annoying because the lights are on like it is available for hire but it is not until they get closer that you can see the cardboard over the sign - they should turn the lights off - it must annoy them being hailed every 5 seconds.

I will look out for the 'walk like an egyptian' next time I am on Queens Rd near the Centre - this is where the cross harbour taxis park - that would be hilarious to see.

[discobay]

Yes but don't do the thing with the neck or you'll get laughed at.

[Raiqi]

Taxi shift change in central is around 4:30 - 5. Most taxis will whizz by with a shake of the head at that time. Makes you want to throw soft fruit at them. Only option is to get there early or be late!